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What is the Legality of an ASP in Washington State

amlevin

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I don't know if this has ever been definitively answered here but my question is: "Is an ASP legal for a citizen to carry in Washington State? I realize that RCW 9.41.250 prohibits possession of a "slung shot" (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Slungshot and "sand club" (http://www.donrearic.com/sap.html but does not specifically prohibit the ASP. As I read, the only limitation involving this device would be in RCW 9.41.270 which includes clubs in it's list of weapon/devices that can't be displayed, carried, etc, in manner, etc, etc.

I'm sure that an ASP is considered a dangerous weapon and as such can carry penalties for "USE" in crimes as well as being carried by felons.

My question, again, "Is it legal for a citizen to carry an ASP in Washington State and further, as it is not a firearm requiring a permit to conceal, can it be carried concealed?

Would be interested in any parts of State Law I might have missed.
 

xxx.jakk.xxx

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Not sure on any laws specifically mentioning it, but you can get them at Tac Tailor. A lot of LEOs shop there and they're on display on the back wall to the left as you go in, so I'd assume there's no real problem with them. I'm hoping that I get one soon so that I have a second level of defense. Not every situation calls for a gun and I'm not too prepared for those.
 

Aryk45XD

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I'm not 100%, but I believe it is.

I think it is legal...as for buying, I bought a spring assisted knife before I found out it was illegal in Washington. I had to throw it away. You can still purchase weapons that are illegal, just like nunchucks. I trained for some years and wanted a pair of chucks until I found those to be illegal also.
Hopefully someone will with more knowledge on the subject will chime in.

ETA: You can always OC a sword.
 
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maclean

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To the best of my knowledge an ASP is legal in Washington. I've run across people carrying them.

I would suggest good training with it - an impact weapon isn't as simple as "hit guy, win fight."
 

xxx.jakk.xxx

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(OT) Does anyone know the prices at TacTailor? I've found them online, but with shipping, it adds about $20 for the ASP, SideBreak Scabbard and Glass Breaking end cap.

To the best of my knowledge an ASP is legal in Washington. I've run across people carrying them.

I would suggest good training with it - an impact weapon isn't as simple as "hit guy, win fight."

Yeah, I'm hoping to find some affordable training or someone/ something that will teach me the basics for free. These little guys can get very dangerous. It'd be like being hit with a Steel/ Iron rod... since it is...
 

amlevin

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To the best of my knowledge an ASP is legal in Washington. I've run across people carrying them.

I would suggest good training with it - an impact weapon isn't as simple as "hit guy, win fight."


Thanks for responding on this.

Agree on the training. I have had some but it was with the old rigid baton. Could give some nasty 'pokes' with it.

As I understand the ASP is more for swinging strikes.
 

maclean

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You can do all kinds of things with it the same as a rigid baton, too. Poking doesn't work well because it will collapse on you.

Thing is, the "impact weapons" have legally valid targets, acceptable strike zones, etc.

Hitting folks in the noggin is a lethal force application, for example.
 

Leatherneck

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Long ago, in a galaxy far far away, I was on line, facing LEOs. One of them whipped out an asp. (Luckily I did not go to jail, or have to feel the non-handle end of that asp that night.)
So, if it's legal for them to carry, and they are citizens, I'd think it'd be legal for me to carry.

Maybe this is a huge assumption on my part though.
 

maclean

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Long ago, in a galaxy far far away, I was on line, facing LEOs. One of them whipped out an asp. (Luckily I did not go to jail, or have to feel the non-handle end of that asp that night.)
So, if it's legal for them to carry, and they are citizens, I'd think it'd be legal for me to carry.

Maybe this is a huge assumption on my part though.

The argument is sound, if not the law.

I've always been an advocate, personally, that anything an LEO could carry, so should you be.
 

Aaron1124

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Long ago, in a galaxy far far away, I was on line, facing LEOs. One of them whipped out an asp. (Luckily I did not go to jail, or have to feel the non-handle end of that asp that night.)
So, if it's legal for them to carry, and they are citizens, I'd think it'd be legal for me to carry.

Maybe this is a huge assumption on my part though.

I wish I could say that's true in all cases, but, unfortunately, they can carry fully automatic weapons and possess explosives, and we can not... :-/
 

SargentMac

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You can do all kinds of things with it the same as a rigid baton, too. Poking doesn't work well because it will collapse on you.

Thing is, the "impact weapons" have legally valid targets, acceptable strike zones, etc.

Hitting folks in the noggin is a lethal force application, for example.

You can jab with an ASP. Proper opening is either to the ground or to the sky. You quickly swing the closed ASP in an upward or downward motion which extends and locks the telescoping pieces. I've seen several cops have a difficult time collapsing them again. Once the ASP is open, you place your weak side hand on the forward piece and use it for leverage, aim, and weapon retention. This jab hurts.

In addition to a gut jab or swinging the ASP, it offers a VERY painful sternum rake.

Levels of force broken down on a basic level is broad areas of muscle such as upper arm or thigh, escalating up to joints such as shoulder and knee, and then escalating to lethal force which is anything above the shoulders. Just remember it's not where you were aiming, but where you hit that matters.
 

gogodawgs

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"I hate snakes....."

Indiana: Snakes. Why'd it have to be snakes?
Sallah: Asps... very dangerous. You go first.

Indiana: There's a big snake in the plane, Jock!
Jock: Oh, that's just my pet snake Reggie.
Indiana: I hate snakes, Jock! I hate 'em!
Jock: Come on! Show a little backbone, will ya!

1indy-rotla-snake.jpg
 

Aaron1124

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I don't like the ASP, or any baton, for that matter. Being trained in MMA, among other disciplines, I feel more confident using my fists, knees and elbows than a baton.
 

Jeff Hayes

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I don't like the ASP, or any baton, for that matter. Being trained in MMA, among other disciplines, I feel more confident using my fists, knees and elbows than a baton.

Thats because your still young, quick & flexable. Tools become more important the more gray hair you have.
 

irish52084

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Thats because your still young, quick & flexable. Tools become more important the more gray hair you have.

This is a great point on 2 fronts. Being trained to fight or defend yourself as it pertains to mma and most martial arts changes drastically when a weapon is involved. An asp or baton changes the dynamic of a fight by increasing range and damage. The second parts is when a person has physical limitations. The asp or baton helps to counter physical limitations of the wielder. Plus, it hurts like a motha when you get hit with a club.
 

Aaron1124

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I can see how a baton can help when it comes to range, however, I've been struck my an asp in my defensive class, and I've also sparred with some really good Thai fighters, including Kit Cope. I can tell you that a kick to the shins by a thai fighter hurt me a LOT more. It's one of those things that you have absolutely no idea what to anticipate until it happens. I'm not really big on blunt objects for protection, because I feel my fists, elbows, feet and knees ARE my blunt objects. I do, however, supplement my protection with O.C. spray and a taser, along with my firearm, of course.

If I'm in a situation where I'm fighting hand to hand, and it's not in an organized setting, then something has already gone horribly wrong.
 
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amlevin

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I can see how a baton can help when it comes to range, however, I've been struck my an asp in my defensive class, and I've also sparred with some really good Thai fighters, including Kit Cope. I can tell you that a kick to the shins by a thai fighter hurt me a LOT more. It's one of those things that you have absolutely no idea what to anticipate until it happens. I'm not really big on blunt objects for protection, because I feel my fists, elbows, feet and knees ARE my blunt objects. I do, however, supplement my protection with O.C. spray and a taser, along with my firearm, of course.

If I'm in a situation where I'm fighting hand to hand, and it's not in an organized setting, then something has already gone horribly wrong.

So what of the other 99% of Society that wouldn't know MMA from GMC or CIA? A Baton can be used to parry a blow from another striking weapon. I think I'd prefer that to using parts of my anatomy. I would find an ASP/Baton a nice in-between option. OC spray, Baton, firearm. For myself, I don't see a Taser in my future. I don't plan on having to wear a Duty Belt to carry all the "tools".
 

Aaron1124

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So what of the other 99% of Society that wouldn't know MMA from GMC or CIA? A Baton can be used to parry a blow from another striking weapon. I think I'd prefer that to using parts of my anatomy. I would find an ASP/Baton a nice in-between option. OC spray, Baton, firearm. For myself, I don't see a Taser in my future. I don't plan on having to wear a Duty Belt to carry all the "tools".

If the boot fits, wear it. I just said I don't prefer them for myself. I keep my taser and O.C. Spray in my pockets. No need for a duty belt.
 
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maclean

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If I'm in a situation where I'm fighting hand to hand, and it's not in an organized setting, then something has already gone horribly wrong.

I like this quote.

An impact weapon is an intermediate weapon. One of the features that lends well to the baton is the relative lack of restrictions on carrying it.

In a pinch on an airplane you can make a baton from a tightly rolled magazine.

A talented man with a baton will take apart an MMA practitioner with relative ease, but someone who has no idea what they are doing with a baton is easily disarmed and beaten with their own implement.

If you choose to carry anything, the advice about learning to use it applies universally.
 
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